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Senate Panel Votes to Approve Obama’s CIA Nominee John Brennan

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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 07: U.S. Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan, nominated by U.S. President Barack Obama to be the next Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee February 7, 2013 in Washington, DC. Brennan was expected to face sharp questioning on the U.S. military drone program in addition to questions about his nomination to head the CIA. Credit: Getty Images

WASHINGTON (AP) — John Brennan is one step closer to becoming director of the CIA.

The Senate Intelligence Committee voted Tuesday to approve President Barack Obama’s pick to lead the spy agency, setting the nomination up for consideration by the full Senate.

The vote came after the White House agreed to provide the committee with access to the secret legal opinions written by the Justice Department that justify the use of lethal drone strikes against terror suspects, including American citizens.

Senate Republicans also are using Brennan’s nomination to push for classified records about the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Libya.

Brennan is currently serving as the top counterterrorism adviser in the White House.

Obama announced Brennan’s nomination in January and the committee held a confirmation hearing in early February.